7 Tips for Hosting a Heart-Healthy Holiday Party

A few substitutions make it easy 

The holidays are right around the corner, ushering in a season full of festive get-togethers. It seems inevitable that most holiday celebrations revolve around indulging your guests with tasty treats and decadent feasts. But with a few simple tricks and a substitution here or there, your guests will walk away satisfied and in good cheer—never knowing you pulled off a heart-healthy party. 

Before planning your party, read on: 

1.  Use smaller plates, cups and bowls to encourage guests to help themselves to smaller portions. While not everyone may get the hint, it could help reduce their overall calorie and fat intake. 

2. If you serve alcoholic beverages, skip the high-calorie, high-fat eggnog and opt for light beer or wine. Herbal tea, coffee and low-calorie punch are great to keep on hand for guests who prefer nonalcoholic beverages. 

3. Serve fresh fruit and vegetable platters as appetizers. Serve with low-fat, low-sodium dips or dressings. In keeping with the season, you can include cranberries, squash and unsalted pecans or walnuts. The fruits and veggies add fiber, helping to increase satiety, and the nuts contain mono- and polyunsaturated fats, the fats beneficial to heart health. Include a colorful variety of vegetables as side dishes as well. Just be sure to prepare veggies without added fat or salt. 

4. Reduce sodium when preparing dishes like stuffing or mashed potatoes, by choosing low- or sodium-free versions of ingredients like chicken broth and butter and/or margarine. Instead of salt, season dishes with fresh or dried herbs, spices and garlic. 

5. Choose lean cuts of meat and bake, broil or grill meats without adding salt and use only a minimal amount of fat during cooking. Turkey, chicken and fish are delicious heart-healthy meat options. Once again, take advantage of the wonderful flavors herbs and spices can add to your favorite meats. Try to avoid meats that have been cured, like ham and precooked meats, as they contain greater amounts of sodium. 

6. Whenever possible, choose whole grain breads that contain greater amounts of fiber. Avoid ready-to-bake rolls and biscuits which are often high in sodium. 

7. Don't forget dessert. Using low-fat dairy and butter in baked goods can decrease calories and fat. Replacing oil with applesauce in certain recipes is a great trick to make desserts more heart healthy. Slicing desserts into petite portions can also reduce total fat and calories, without compromising taste. 

Hosting a heart health holiday gathering is easier than you may think. Get creative, try some new low-fat recipes, experiment with different herbs and spices, and most of all have fun!